Journal of Technical Writing and Communication Jan 1995

Scientific Communication and Metaphors: An Analysis of Einstein's 1905 Special Relativity Paper

Richard D. Johnson-Sheehan

Abstract

Examining the history of science from the perspective of metaphor suggests that there are few differences between the literal and the metaphorical in scientific discourse. The central role of metaphors in science seems to ensure that science is open-ended, suggesting that conceptions of reality will always be open to change and interpretation.

Journal
Journal of Technical Writing and Communication
Published
1995-01-01
DOI
10.2190/0fgd-k5ar-b2rf-42wf
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Closed
Topics
discourse analysis scientific writing
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Citation Context

Cited by in this index (3)

  1. Moran et al. (2012)
    A Bibliography of Works Published in the History of Professional Communication …
    Journal of Technical Writing and Communication
  2. EUBANKS (1999)
    Conceptual Metaphor as Rhetorical Response: A Reconsideration of Metaphor
    Written Communication
  3. Johnson-Sheehan (1997)
    The Emergence of a Root Metaphor in Modern Physics: Max Planck's ‘Quantum’ Metaphor
    Journal of Technical Writing and Communication

References (18)

  1. Pagels H. (1983)
    The Cosmic Code
  2. Holton G. (1988)
    Thematic Origins of Scientific Thought
  3. 10.1002/andp.19063240303
     ↗
  4. Hoffman B. (1972)
    Albert Einstein, Creator and Rebel
  5. 10.1017/CBO9780511609039.002
     ↗
Show all 18 →
  1. Gerhart M. (1984)
    Metaphoric Process: The Creation of Scientific and Religious Understanding
  2. Aristotle (1954)
    The Rhetoric and Poetics of Aristotle
  3. Ricoeur P. (1977)
    The Rule of Metaphor
  4. 10.7591/9781501741326
     ↗
  5. Hesse M. (1966)
    Models and Analogies in Science
  6. 10.1086/289207
     ↗
  7. 10.2307/2709953
     ↗
  8. Burke K. (1962)
    Grammar of Motives
  9. Davidson D. (1979)
    On Metaphor
  10. 10.1017/CBO9780511527234
     ↗
  11. Einstein A. (1952)
    The Principle of Relativity
  12. Planck M. (1915)
    Eight Lectures on Theoretical Physics
  13. Minkowski H. (1952)
    The Principle of Relativity
CrossRef global citation count: 4 View in citation network → Build reading path →

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